Grandmaster Melik Khachiyan continues to lead in Concord, California with two rounds to go. However, a pair of short draws against GM House residents Josh Friedel and Jesse Kraai allowed the field to catch up.
Standings after round 5 of 7

Your reporter has 2.5 after facing a GM, two IMs, plus 2200 and 2170. After winning a tough 5.5 hour long game tonight, I saw no fewer than four of my 1700 and 1800 rated students still playing. They combined to score two wins and two draws in complicated endgames. Bravo guys!

Look for a report with games and results after the tournament concludes.